HONORS - Act II, Scene 6 - Friar Lawrence's Advice

In Act II, Scene 5, Juliet is frustrated with the Nurse for taking such a long time to tell her that Romeo wants to marry her.

In Act II, Scene 3, Romeo wants to hurry to marry Juliet, but Friar Lawrence advises him to move "Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast" (II.iii.100-101).

Friar Lawrence echoes this advice in Act II, Scene 6:

These violent delights have violent ends                                    Passionate love ends violently, the

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,                        way that fire and gunpowder

Which, as they kiss, consume. ...                                                consume each other when they

Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.                        meet. So, love each other in

Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.                                    moderation – that’s how love lasts.

Is it possible for Romeo and Juliet to slow down? Why or why not? Cite evidence from the play to support your answer.